Transcript Part Two
The Nineteen Thirties (Part II) A Decade of Extremes How did the Great Depression impact the Soviet Union? • • • Russia - now a communist country - USSR (Soviet Union) Joseph Stalin - ruthless dictator - killed opponents, but brought Russia into the 20th century - modernized Russia - collectivized farms, built up steel and oil industry - communist totalitarian government Immune to the effects of the Great Depression How did the Great Depression impact Italy and Germany? • Italy - Benito Mussolini – – – • totalitarian dictator nationalist Fascism Germany – Adolph Hitler – – – bitter and angry over loss of WWI Adolph Hitler came to power in 1933. Why was he followed? • • • • • Charisma Made promises and kept them. Wanted his country to be the best. Two goals: “race and space” Led to the taking over of countries east of Germany What was occurring in Japan during the 1930s? • • • Run by a small group of military rulers. Population expanded rapidly needed more land. These last 3 countries came together and formed an alliance called the Axis powers. – They were all nationalistic and fascist. – They all built up their military. – They all wanted power and more land. • Goal of fascism - nationalism. What were the most important steps taken by Japan, Italy and Germany towards world war? • Japan – – – • • 1931 - invaded Manchuria and then China. Eventually expanded to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Lead to starvation of many Chinese citizens Italy - 1935 - invaded and took Ethiopia Germany – – – Hitler began to rearm Germany 1935 - invaded the Rhineland 1937 - invaded Austria More Steps… • • • • Spain - Franco took over during civil war Munich Conference - Britain, France and Germany met over the issue of Czechoslovakia - agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland and Hitler promised peace in exchange Called Appeasement - several months later, Hitler took the rest of Czech. Britain and France told Hitler if he took any more land, they will declare war. Hitler then made a Nonaggression Pact with Russia and agreed to split Poland if Russia helped in the attack. 1939 - Sept. 1 - Germany invaded Poland - official start of WWII France and Britain declared war. What was the U.S. position when World War II first started? • Officially, the United States was neutral. Unofficially, we sided with the Allies (Lend Lease) • Blitzkrieg - Lightning war Hitler’s style of war- Use of tanks and airplanes. Poland was defeated in 6 weeks. • During the winter, Hitler refrained from fighting. What was the U.S. position when World War II first started? • • • • • • In the spring, Hitler invaded Denmark, Norway and France France was captured next “Miracle of Dunkirk” Battle of Britain - British RAF versus The German Luftwaffe. New British prime minister Winston Churchill 1941 -Hitler invaded the Soviet Union - Eventually killed 20 million Russians Dec. 7, 1941 - Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor.